Arcade Digest - February 12, 2026
Published
Stern Pinball has teased a Pokemon Pinball machine timed to the franchise's 30th anniversary on February 27, 2026, with Pro ($6,999), Premium, and Limited Edition variants announced. Nintendo is separately reviving its 1995 Virtual Boy experience — including the classic Galactic Pinball — through Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack, launching February 17. Arcade1Up is expected to reveal its full 2026 cabinet lineup at the upcoming New York Toy Fair, with the retro arcade community watching for potential full-size pinball announcements.
Stern Pinball Teases Pokemon Pinball for 30th Anniversary — Starting at $6,999
Stern Pinball has teased an upcoming Pokemon Pinball machine, with a full reveal expected to coincide with the Pokemon franchise's 30th anniversary on February 27, 2026. Three variants have been announced: Pro, Premium, and a Limited Edition, with the Pro starting at $6,999. Early teaser images suggest a colorful, Pikachu-themed playfield with custom ball locks and LED effects.
This is a massive IP play for Stern. Pokemon is arguably the most valuable entertainment franchise on the planet — $100B+ in lifetime revenue. A Stern Pokemon pin could be the gateway drug that brings an entirely new demographic (millennials who grew up on Red/Blue, parents buying for the brand recognition) into physical pinball. At $6,999 for the Pro, it's positioned as the most accessible entry to Stern's lineup. The real collector market will be the Limited Edition — if Stern limits production (as they typically do to 500-750 units), resale values could exceed MSRP on day one. For virtual pinball builders, this means a Pokemon table in VPX/FX is almost certainly coming within months.
💡What this means for you
Three variants: Pro (standard features, $6,999), Premium (enhanced playfield toys, LCD displays), Limited Edition (premium art package, low production run). Expected features based on Stern's recent designs: full-color LCD display, custom-molded playfield toys, RGB LED playfield lighting, and a custom sound package. Stern's Spike 3 system likely powers the electronics.
Market Position: Stern dominates the new physical pinball market with ~90% share. Pokemon joins their IP portfolio alongside Star Wars, Avengers, Led Zeppelin, and Foo Fighters. The $6,999 Pro price matches their standard entry tier. Jersey Jack ($8,500+) and American Pinball compete in the premium segment.
- Full reveal date and pre-order timeline
- Limited Edition production run size and pricing
- Whether The Pokemon Company required specific content restrictions
- Virtual pinball community recreation timeline (VPX/FX)
⏸️ Wait if: You want the Limited Edition — wait for the full reveal to understand the production numbers
✅ Buy if: You're a Pokemon collector and pinball enthusiast — the Pro at $6,999 is the sweet spot for playability
Nintendo Revives Virtual Boy Galactic Pinball via Switch Online, Launching Feb 17
Nintendo will make its 1995 Virtual Boy game library, including the classic Galactic Pinball, available through Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack starting February 17, 2026. The Virtual Boy, which was discontinued after less than a year on the market, featured a stereoscopic 3D pinball experience that was considered one of the system's few genuine highlights.
Galactic Pinball on Virtual Boy was legitimately excellent — it used the stereoscopic 3D to create a depth-layered playfield that felt physically dimensional. Bringing it to Switch Online means millions of players will experience it for the first time. For the virtual pinball community, this matters because it normalizes digital pinball as a legitimate gaming experience. Every person who plays Galactic Pinball on Switch and thinks 'this is cool' is a potential future virtual pinball builder or Pinball FX buyer. Nintendo has historically been protective of their IP, so having any pinball content on their platform signals openness to the medium.
💡What this means for you
Virtual Boy games on Switch Online will use standard 2D display with optional stereoscopic 3D effects via the Switch's screen. Galactic Pinball originally ran at 384x224 resolution in monochrome red. The Switch port likely adds save states, screen filters, and remapped controls. The Virtual Boy library includes 22 games total, with Galactic Pinball, Wario Land, and Mario Clash as highlights.
Market Position: This is part of Nintendo's strategy to monetize their hardware history through Switch Online subscriptions ($50/year for Expansion Pack). The Virtual Boy addition joins NES, SNES, N64, Game Boy, GBA, Sega Genesis, and Game Boy Advance libraries already available.
- Whether Nintendo will add 3D display support on Switch 2
- Full Virtual Boy launch lineup vs. staggered release
- Community reception of monochrome red art style on modern displays
Arcade1Up Expected to Reveal 2026 Lineup at New York Toy Fair
Arcade1Up is anticipated to reveal its 2026 cabinet lineup at the upcoming New York Toy Fair. The retro arcade community is watching for potential announcements including new 3/4-scale cabinets, possible full-size pinball additions, and updates to their digital pinball platform. Previous years' Toy Fair reveals have included major IP licenses and form factor expansions.
Arcade1Up has been the primary on-ramp for casual pinball interest. Their digital pinball cabinets ($500-800) are priced where impulse buyers can justify them, and they introduce the concept of 'a pinball machine in your home' to people who would never spend $6,999 on a Stern. If Arcade1Up announces new pinball titles or an upgraded platform (higher-res display, haptic feedback), it directly feeds the virtual pinball pipeline — players start with A1U, get hooked, then graduate to a full VPin build. The Toy Fair timing means we should have concrete announcements within weeks.
💡What this means for you
Arcade1Up's current pinball lineup uses 24-inch playfield displays, force feedback solenoids, and runs Zen Studios' Pinball FX engine. Potential 2026 upgrades could include 4K displays, improved haptics, and expanded table libraries. Their arcade cabinets use 17-inch LCD screens with vertical orientation for classic gaming.
Market Position: Arcade1Up dominates the affordable home arcade segment ($300-$800). In pinball, they compete with AtGames Legends Pinball ($650-$950) and DIY virtual pinball builds ($1,500-$5,000+). Their IP partnerships (Marvel, Star Wars, Hasbro) provide a content moat that DIY can't match for casual buyers.
- New IP licenses for 2026 (Pokemon tie-in with Stern announcement?)
- Platform hardware refresh for pinball cabinets
- Whether A1U expands into full-size pinball format
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the Stern Pokemon Pinball machine cost?▼
The Stern Pokemon Pinball Pro variant starts at $6,999. Premium and Limited Edition variants have been announced but pricing hasn't been confirmed yet. The full reveal is expected around February 27, 2026, coinciding with Pokemon's 30th anniversary.
When does Virtual Boy come to Nintendo Switch Online?▼
Virtual Boy games, including the classic Galactic Pinball, launch on Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack on February 17, 2026. You'll need the Expansion Pack tier ($50/year) to access them.
Is Arcade1Up releasing new pinball cabinets in 2026?▼
Arcade1Up is expected to reveal their 2026 lineup at the New York Toy Fair. While specific pinball announcements haven't been confirmed, the community anticipates new IP licenses and potential hardware upgrades to their digital pinball platform.